Lauren F.

Over the past four years I have instructed large groups of both adolescents and adults (from beginner to intermediate skill levels) in dance forms such as ballet, modern/contemporary, swing dancing, blues dancing, hip hop, and Argentine Tango. With eighteen years of formal dance training and performance, I have solid foundation and knowledge base for coaching dancers in technique, artistry, and musicality. I have worked with both university student groups, local freelance dancers, and professional dancers in the UK. For tango, blues, and swing lessons I am willing to work with couples.

Having pursued a BA in Dance and Cognitive Science as well as an MSc in Dance Science and Education (with a focus on Performance Psychology), psychological and physical injury prevention and strength conditioning is emphasized within my coaching approach. Most recently, I aided a professional ballerina through her rehabilitation process following an ACL reconstructive surgery. She has since returned to dance principal roles within the UK and US.

My dance background consists of 18 years of formal dance training in ballet, modern, and hip hop as well as 5 years of training in swing dancing, blues dancing, salsa, and Argentine Tango. I also have experience performing Afro-Cuban, African, and various silver ballroom styles of dance. With 6 years of vocal training, I have also performed in and choreographed for various musicals. Throughout the course of my career to date, I have danced in over 100 performances in both leading and corps roles of various dance styles. Although I have primarily performed in the United States, I was recently invited to perform in three neoclassical ballet pieces within one of Europe's largest arts festivals (entitled the Fringe Festival) located in Edinburgh, Scotland.

An informal meeting will precede the start of the first session to gauge what the dancer would like to gain and focus on within the sessions. Sessions are flexible but will always consist of a light cardio warm up and dynamic stretching to prepare the body for movement. Most importantly, sessions will be tailored to whichever dance style the client would like to improve on and will build from more basic steps and movements (which will be analyzed, reflected upon, and strengthened) to constructing longer sequences of steps.

Essentially, the aim is to not only improve upon the dancers current level but address any issues in the technical and biomechanical performance of the movement that could cause injury or disrupt the aesthetic quality of the movement and help build the foundation of the technique. As music will be utilized in every session, artistry and musicality (timing and dynamics) will also be addressed in order to progress the dancer to a truly captivating performer or even to build the confidence of a dancer who simply wants to participate in social dances with his or her partner.

Finally, the mood is always encouraging and very upbeat - having a zany personality I try to create a sense of fun and lightheartedness in all of my sessions and hopefully instill a true passion and enjoyment in the dance.